We will do our best to answer this and many other similar questions in this article which should ease your mind regarding this subject.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant. Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea — especially during pregnancy. It’s also a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet.
What To Look For In Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. Look for prenatal vitamins that have: 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid
400 IU of vitamin D
200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium
70 mg of vitamin C
3 mg of thiamine
2 mg of riboflavin
20 mg of niacin
6 mcg of vitamin B12
10 mg of vitamin E
15 mg of zinc
17 mg of iron
150 micrograms of iodine In some cases, your doctor will give you a prescription for a certain type of prenatal vitamin.
What Are Prenatal Vitamins?
The vitamin aisle at your local pharmacy contains a huge assortment of vitamins for different genders and ages.
Prenatal vitamins are specifically geared toward women thinking about becoming pregnant or who are pregnant. A baby especially needs certain nutrients to develop. Prenatal vitamins are meant to bridge the nutritional gap.
How Are Prenatal Vitamins Different From Traditional Multivitamins?
Lots of different prenatal vitamin types are available on the market. Prenatal vitamins typically have between 200 and 300 mg of calcium. This contributes to a woman’s calcium requirements but doesn’t account for all of her daily calcium needs.
Calcium is important for all women because it keeps their bones strong. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women (and those trying to get pregnant) take in 600 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day from all sources. Since it may be difficult to get this much folic acid from foods alone, a supplement is recommended.
Because a woman increases her blood volume during pregnancy, iron is a must-have. Prenatal vitamins often contain other vitamins and minerals.
When Should I Take Prenatal Vitamins?
Always talk with your doctor before starting to take prenatal vitamins.
If you’re trying to conceive or are pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend that you take them. Doctors often recommend that women who are breastfeeding also continue taking prenatal vitamins after delivery. Even if you aren’t trying to get pregnant, you still might want to take a folic acid supplement.
That’s because half of the pregnancies in the United States aren’t planned. Because the brain and spinal cord are already forming at the early stages of pregnancy, folic acid is vital. Women of childbearing age could also eat more folate-rich foods as an alternative to taking a supplement.
Can I Take Prenatal Vitamins If I Don’T Want To Get Pregnant?
Prenatal vitamins are specific to the needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women. But they aren’t really intended for women (or men) who aren’t expecting or lactating. Again, it’s better if you get these nutrients through your diet instead of a pill.
Misconceptions about prenatal vitamins Many women claim that prenatal vitamins affect hair and nail growth. But according to the Mayo Clinic, these claims haven’t been proven.